Colombo, Sri Lanka – Zimbabwe delivered a stunning upset at the T20 World Cup on Friday, defeating Australia by 23 runs in a Group B clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The victory marks only the second time Zimbabwe has defeated Australia in T20 International cricket, rekindling memories of their historic win in 2007.
Set a target of 170, Australia faltered, being bowled out for 146 with three balls remaining. The result leaves Australia’s campaign on the brink and significantly boosts Zimbabwe’s chances of progressing to the Super Eight phase.
The architect of Australia’s downfall was Zimbabwe seamer Blessing Muzarabani, who produced a career-best bowling performance. Muzarabani claimed 4 wickets for 17 runs, dismantling the Australian top order and consistently troubling the batters with his pace and accuracy. Brad Evans also played a crucial role, taking 3 wickets for 23 runs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 169 for 2, built around an unbeaten 64 from opener Brian Bennett. Bennett’s innings spanned 56 balls and included seven boundaries, providing a solid foundation for the Zimbabwe total. Contributions from Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 21 balls) and captain Sikandar Raza (25 off 13 balls) added valuable late runs.
Australia’s chase got off to a disastrous start, losing four wickets for just 29 runs inside the powerplay. Josh Inglis was the first to fall, followed quickly by Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Tim David, all succumbing to the pressure exerted by the Zimbabwe bowlers. The early wickets left Australia reeling and forced them into a rebuilding phase.
A 77-run partnership between Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell offered a glimmer of hope for Australia. Renshaw top-scored with 65 off 44 balls, while Maxwell contributed 31 off 32. However, the dismissal of Maxwell, caught off the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani, and then Marcus Stoinis, halted Australia’s momentum.
Renshaw’s dismissal, also to Muzarabani, effectively sealed Australia’s fate. He skied a catch with eight balls remaining, leaving the tailenders with too much to do. Muzarabani then quickly wrapped up the innings, securing a memorable victory for Zimbabwe.
“The culture, environment and unity we’ve created over a long time makes me extremely proud – and on top of that, to win is unbelievable,” said Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, reflecting on the team’s performance. “It looked like the boys wanted [to win] and they really deserve it. We don’t need to change anything and it’s a great position, but it doesn’t guarantee anything. So the next game is now the most important one.”
The defeat marks Australia’s first T20I loss to Zimbabwe since 2007. It also leaves their World Cup campaign hanging in the balance. Australia must now defeat co-host Sri Lanka in their next match on Monday in Kandy to have any realistic chance of progressing to the Super Eight stage. Even a win may not be enough, as net run rate could become a deciding factor.
For Zimbabwe, the victory represents a significant step forward in the tournament. They remain undefeated in Group B and are well-positioned to qualify for the next round. Their disciplined bowling attack, led by Muzarabani, and composed batting performance proved to be the key ingredients in their upset win. The team’s ability to remain calm under pressure and execute their game plan effectively was evident throughout the match.
The match highlighted the growing competitiveness of Associate nations in international cricket. Zimbabwe’s success serves as a testament to their development and investment in the sport. It also underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where any team can cause an upset on their day.